Leeds United Opinion: Why the Whites should go all out to sign Jese Rodriguez
According to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Leeds United are keen on the signature of the PSG attacker Jese Rodriguez.
Jese Rodriguez, 26, spent the second half of the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Spanish club Real Betis, having enjoyed a year-long spell at Stoke in 2017-18. However, the Spanish winger has struggled for goals, scoring just three times in the league across those two seasons.
The former Spanish youth international has struggled since he moved to PSG from Real Madrid in the summer of 2016 and has failed to play consistently well in recent years. Yet, Leeds want to sign him this summer as Marcelo Bielsa aims to strengthen his squad ahead of another gruelling Championship campaign.
The Whites missed out on promotion in 2018-19 after losing a thrilling play-off semi-final against Derby County. The long-pending Premier League return has to wait for at least one more season now as Marcelo Bielsa must fix the loopholes and prepare again to give another go for promotion.
After Bielsa commits his future at Elland Road, the veteran Argentinean tactician should sign players that could come in and make an impact. Jese Rodriguez could be that player, even though he has struggled enormously for form since joining PSG. In fact, the Whites tried to sign the Spaniard in the January transfer window but failed. But they cannot miss out on his signing this time around if they are to win promotion next year.
Jese has failed to live up to his sky-high potential since breaking into Real Madrid’s senior side. A nasty cruciate ligament injury a few years ago has derailed his progress and the player since has struggled to resurrect his form, despite joining PSG in the summer of 2016. Even though the 26-year-old’s previous stint in England didn’t work out well, a move to Leeds could be beneficial for all parties involved.
The Spaniard is able to play across the front line, operating either as an attacking midfielder, second striker or as a false nine, or in his favoured position out on the wing. He is a creative player, who is blessed with technical skills, close control and express pace.
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The ex-Real Madrid ace’s potential acquisition would not only bolster the Whites’ attacking ranks, but also bring competition to Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford. Bielsa showed this past campaign how he can improve players and Jese certainly can revive his flagging career under the Argentine tactician.
Verdict
A move to the Championship could be the perfect way for Jese to bring his career back on track and would go a long way towards helping Leeds finally return to the top-flight.
